Absolute Magic

by Stephany Wallace

  We had given everything we had.

  Art caught him before he hit the wooden table, and Ronan helped bring him up. Eghan placed his arms around my back and under my knees, carrying me from the floor. My head rolled to the side, and I caught a glance of John and Cathair holding Cyn's arms and pulling him up. He could barely stand, so they carried all of his weight. His white Priest robes and cloak were stained with blood, Leigh's blood, just like my dress. Shark carried Leigh's fourteen-year-old body in his arms, still wrapped in my cloak while they began to walk beside us.

  A faint blue light caught my attention as we began to cross the portal into the village.

  This time was unlike the others.

  I could feel the lack of energy in my soul, in my essence, as though I was incomplete. My lids lifted and I slowly observed my surroundings. Everyone was here in our hut, but it didn't feel crowded. I stirred, feeling a ton of iron lay over my body and noticed Cyn lying beside me. He smiled but looked as exhausted as I felt. His gaze shifted to somewhere behind me, and I turned to find Kevan walking towards us with a grin on his lips. He looked as good as new.

  He chuckled as I frowned. “I’m a Master Healer remember?" He answered my silent question and sat beside me on the bed. "Okay, are you ready to do this? I was going to heal Romeo over there before, but he didn’t want me to do anything until you were awake.”

  I looked at Cyn who smiled at me, yet I could still see the concern clouding his eyes. He held my hand and lifted it to his lips kissing it. My lips curved into a small smile, feeling the gentle energy in our connection. It wasn't much at the moment, but it was still there. I nodded, and Kevan's glowing hands settled on my chest. His healing magic rushed through me, instantly replenishing my essence and infusing me with a jolt of energy. After a minute I was as good as new. I looked at Cyn, as Kevan proceed to heal him too. When he was done Cyn smiled. This time it reached his flirty little dimple.

  We sat up on the bed as I realized I was wearing my pajamas while Cyn wore his cotton drawstring pants. "Who changed us?"

  “Oh, it was me,” Lia said, caressing the back of a sleeping Hayes on her chest, while she sat at the table. “And yes, I did have my way with you while I did it.” I laughed while Cyn looked at her shocked.

  “Don’t worry, brother. I changed you.” Art added moving closer. “…While Lia watched.”

  This time Cyn laughed. “Thanks, brother.”

  “And you two should not worry. I took care of cleaning your robes.” Seima’s words caused the memories to rush back.

  "Where is Leigh?" I asked startled, getting up from the bed but Cyn stopped me.

  "He's fine. He's resting," Kevan answered. "I hit him with another dose of healing, after I recovered just in case. He’s under a replenishing spell at the moment." Eisha walked to him holding his arm. "He's in Ronan and Eghan's hut. They are going to watch over him tonight."

  I nodded although I wasn’t sure I was relieved. “Did I challenge Caesar to a fight? I can barely remember what I said. I was so distressed. Seeing Leigh like that messed with me…”

  Cyn’s gaze softened as I sat beside him again. “Something of the sort.”

  I took a deep breath, but it didn't help. "I don't want to fight anymore," I grabbed my head as torment traveled through me, but Cyn held my hands making me look at him. His eyes were filled with understanding. "I believe in the hope the Goddess instilled in us. I have trust in our mission, but I can't help the moments were a part of me fears that their hate will never end."

  My gaze went over the faces in the room.

  "We all have lost so much through this war. We've all felt the pain. I'm done losing people we love and care about. I'm done playing the Roman's game. And now there will be yet another battle…" Tears gathered in my eyes, and I tightened my hold on Cyn's hand. "I don't want to fight anymore." Although it was barely a pained whisper, I knew he'd heard me.

  His lips grazed my cheek placing a soft kiss on it, when he leaned back the love and certainty in his eyes reached my heart.

  “Then let us end this the way we are supposed to… by bringing our destiny to pass.”

  Chapter 14. One In The Light

  BRINA

  * * *

  Hayes’ small hands rested on my cheeks, as he looked straight at me. Warmth traveled through my essence when the strange specks of green, brown and gold in his eyes sparkled brightly. He did this with all of us and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind while I held his gaze.

  We sat in Art's hut with Cathair, John, and Shark who were invited to the village so John could visit his cousin Amanda. She'd been resting while Seima watched after her. We were all here except Kevan and Eisha, who stayed back in their hut for her to be able to concentrate on her mission—finding Caesar and his followers through the Astral Plane.

  It wasn't lost on me that even though Hayes was five years old, he had the behavior of a slightly younger child. Cyn said he had just turned five before their village was attacked two thousand years ago, and since he'd become immortal at that age, he remained a child all these years. Ronan assessed that his behavior was part of a protection mechanism his mind employed during his time with the Romans. Still, I could sense even after all that, he was a bit more innocent than the rest of the kids his age.

  Hayes smiled at me and dropped his hands, turning towards Lia who sat next to us on the bed. "Lia is my Mammy," he said certain, and scrambled off my lap and onto hers.

  Lia kissed his head and hugged him as he wrapped his short arms around her.

  "Yes I am," she answered caressing his back, her eyes filled with emotion.

  I had never seen Lia like this, I figured that it was partly her maternal instincts waking up, but I also knew it was Hayes' nature shining through. He had the most adorable face and cheeks I had ever seen, and there was something about him that just made you instantly love him. I was glad Hayes was safe now, he deserved all the snuggles and love, we could give him.

  He still didn't speak much; it was more like he was observing everyone around him. I stared at the jeans, long sleeve t-shirt, and tennis shoes he wore and looked at Lia knowingly.

  “I may, or may not have sent Art to Target’s kid section this morning.” She gave me a one-shoulder shrug.

  I chuckled, but my eyes went to Hayes as he raised his cheek from her chest looking at me. “Art is not my Daddy,” he said, shaking his head. “Llyr is.” The statement sent a sting of pain through me. “Is he back?”

  My gaze connected with Cyn and Art's, before returning to him. It had been two days since we rescued Leigh. The guys went with Art and Cathair to search the Venice and Tuscany offices, and although they found prisoners there, they were Roman deserters. They didn't find anyone else from our Druid family.

  Art walked towards us and bent down in front of the boy. "I'm sorry, Hayes. I looked for him, but I couldn't find him." His voice strained as he tried to hold back the emotion. My eyes went to Cyn when the sadness rushed through us. It hit too close to home for them. "I think he's with our Mother Goddess now. He won't come back."

  Hayes turned around to face Art and placed his hands on his cheeks. “Do not be sad. The Goddess will watch over him.” His gaze roamed the other faces in the room then settled on me. “You watch over me?”

  I smiled. "Yes, we will all watch over you. We are your family, and that is what family does."

  "The Goddess loves Daddy." He nodded, and removed his hands from Art's cheeks.

  “She does, very much so,” Art answered, kissing his forehead.

  Hayes smiled and hugged Lia once again, resting his cheek on her chest. I wasn't sure at what point the Romans separated the boy from his father. If he was away from Llyr for so long that he didn't understand the notion of his Dad not coming back, or if he realized better than us that the Goddess was taking care of him in the Blessed Isles. Hayes' eyes closed, while Lia caressed his head, her fingers slid into his long hair, and he fell asleep.

  The re
st of us looked at each other not quite sure what to say until a portal opened and Eisha stepped into view.

  “I found them.”

  We all stood, and the adrenaline began to rush through Cyn and I. "Where are they?" He spoke before I could.

  "They are still in Sicily, but it looks as though they are preparing for war. He has a vast following, and they are staying near a beach in a largely vegetated area."

  “The Valley of the Temples,” Kevan added stepping beside her but neither of them crossed into Art’s hut. “It’s where the majority of the temple ruins are. Greek mythology at its finest. The temple of the Olympians, Heracles, the Temple of Zeus, you name it, it’s there. It’s also the largest uninhabited part and I’m assuming his chosen battleground.”

  "You two can come in. You know that, right?" Lia said, half annoyed as they stood in the middle of the open portal.

  Kevan’s gaze went to Art who stared at him with a calculative expression then returned to Lia. “No that’s okay. We actually need to talk to Brina privately.”

  The statement took me by surprise. “To me?”

  Eisha nodded. “Yes, would you please come?”

  “Of course,” I walked towards her confused.

  “Then it is time to prepare,” John said, returning to the previous subject and walking towards Cyn. As the men began to talk about the last thing I wanted to face, I crossed the portal into Eisha’s hut.

  The archway closed behind me as I gasped. "Asrhia!" She rushed towards me with tears in her eyes and hugged me. I exchanged a glance with Eisha and Kevan as Asrhia stepped back.

  “I’m sorry, I’m a bit emotional.”

  "No, it's okay sweetie," I cupped her cheek. "Are you okay? The Romans didn't do anything to you, did they?" Her hazel brown strands swayed as she shook her head wiping her tears. I sighed in relief. "Thank you for helping us in Sicily. I don’t know how you did it, but I’m still thankful. I'm not sure what condition we would have found Leigh in if it hadn't been for you."

  Her perfectly heart-shaped lips tightened at the thought. "An irreparable one. If you were held up blocking the entrances, while Eisha and the others got to him, Kevan wouldn't have been able to cure him completely."

  Kevan. That brought my attention to the fact that he was standing here with us. "Wait. I thought no one could see you but Eisha and me."

  Kevan chuckled. "I met her after I woke up from the healing spell Cyn put me under to help me recover. I just didn't know her name." My eyes locked with Asrhia's. "She helped me find out the truth about the Romans."

  "She helped me fight my fear, accept my ability and embrace it," Eisha added, and Asrhia’s lips curved into the smallest of smiles, yet she looked at them almost embarrassed. It reminded me of the look Art got when someone praised him. It was almost as though it made him uncomfortable.

  "She helped me believe in myself, accept and work on my powers," I offered smiling. "And now you've helped Leigh too. Apparently, we all owe a lot to you."

  She shook her head. “No more than I owe all of you. Thank you for saving Leigh and healing him.”

  "Asrhia’s been here since we brought him home, staying with us," Kevan said. "She wants to stay until she confirms Leigh is in fact okay."

  My eyes widened. "What do you mean? Haven't you gone back to your home? It's been two days. Your family must be crazy worried!"

  “He still under Kevan’s nourishing spell because of how strained his essence was even after the healing. I can’t leave until I’m a hundred percent sure that he’ll be okay.”

  I was about to protest when a portal began to form behind us. Asrhia hid next to the cabinet on the wall to my right. Art peeked in. "I'm sorry to intrude, but we need you, Brina. John went with Cathair to bring his men here and they're also bringing the Soldiers we rescued from the Romans; they want to help us today. They should be back any moment. Our Warriors have already prepared for battle. We are just waiting for you guys."

  I took a deep breath as my chest constricted. This was wrong. “Where are they?”

  “We are meeting at the training grounds. Everyone will join us there.”

  I nodded and gave Asrhia one last discrete look, as I turned around and left the hut.

  I stood in front of my full-length mirror brushing my hair. My Priestess dress hugged my body, while the cloak rested on my chest and shoulders, touching the floor behind me.

  I placed the Fairy Crown on my head, feeling the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis’ cluster in its center connect to my magic, and I stared at myself. Everything I’d been through, all that I’d learned brought me here.

  To this day.

  I released a settling breath and walked towards the dresser removing Grandpa’s old shoebox of secrets from the drawer. Opening it, I took his clan medallion and hung it over my neck. My fingers held it tightly as I admired the carving of the Great Bear head on it. I turned it around.

  “Strength. Compassion. Courage. Wisdom.”

  The words inscribed on the iron spoke to me. My fingers reached the top of my dresser, and I took my clan medallion from the little jewelry tree where it hung. It had a beautiful Queen Bee carved on it. Grandpa made it for me.

  “My spirit is stronger than any obstacle before me,” I read the inscription out loud, the necklace joining Grandpa’s on my neck.

  Cyn stood beside me as I took his, and lowered his head so I could drape it over him. "The power within me is greater than any fear before me," I read his out loud. His lips curved into a gentle smile and he kissed me. Straightening again I held his hand, taking one more item out of the box.

  "These belonged to Grandpa and my Grandmother." The cool metal brushed his skin as I slid the silver band over his left finger. "I think it's time they stop representing loss, and signify true love again." Cyn nodded, taking the other band and slid it over my finger, joining the raw diamond, flower ring he had given me.

  My gaze roamed his body. The white Priest suit with the long cloak-style jacket made him looked like he should have never worn anything else. He was the High Priest… and I was his Priestess.

  Our gazes held the other, as we remained still for a moment. A silent communication transpired between us.

  “This is wrong,” I whispered into his mind, unable to stop myself.

  Cyn nodded. “All I need is you, my Goddess.”

  I cupped his cheek and placed my lips on his. The powerful rush of love that traveled between us confirmed what we had to do.

  “All I need is you, Cyn.”

  My staff materialized, and as I looked into his sparkling, emerald-green eyes, the light engulfed us.

  We disappeared, leaving everyone else behind.

  * * *

  The soft sound of rolling waves reached us, the moment we appeared on the site Kevan showed us. It stood between the Mediterranean coastline and The Valley of the Temples. Broken Greek columns and the remains of ancient, giant statues were visible in the distance. Lush green grass lay under our feet, under a crisp blue sky. The glorious sun shone above us, and the breeze caressed our skin making its way over the island.

  “You must be even more stupid than I thought if you came alone,” Caesar shouted from when he stood with Aurelius, several yards ahead of us. A large Roman army of about three hundred men and women stood behind them, armed and ready for battle.

  Cyn and I exchanged a glance and began to walk towards him. The sea called to me as we walked. The sun seemed to gift us its energy with every ray that our skin absorbed, increasing our power. The flowing breeze blew our hair back, causing my cloak to fly behind me, and as its majestic presence swept over us, it erased every memory of pain that could have lingered, renewing us as we moved. With every step, the earth beneath our feet seemed to shift bringing us closer. We stopped walking and allowed it to guide us. The ground rearranged itself and lifted us into a natural platform that moved like an earth wave towards the others, until it stopped in front of the Romans.

  Nature itself was on our side. The
Goddess was here. Cyn and I could feel her in our hearts, on our skin, and in the current of energy that intensified between us. It took a moment for Caesar, Aurelius and their soldiers to erase the stunned expressions on their faces after the earth brought us right to them, but when they did, anger replaced it.

  I stood my Spear of Light on the ground and let my eyes roam over the crowd. A sea of mixed expressions stared back at us, and we knew not everyone was here of their own free will. I could see indecision and anxiety among them, as well as hate and need for vengeance.

  Holding Cyn's hand, I let my eyes connect with each one of them, including Aurelius. “We come here today to ask for peace," I repeated Grandpa's words, feeling his strong presence with me.

  Caesar laughed almost doubling over. "You can't possibly be serious?! This is going to be easier than I thought." He raised his arm signaling the others. "Kill them!"

  Bullets flew towards us instantly ricocheting off the light shield I held over Cyn and I. The assault of bullets continued, their rifles firing relentlessly. Sparks flew when they connected to our energy, yet they didn’t cause any harm.

  “Aahh!” Caesar screamed enraged signaling the others to stop.

  "I understand how you feel, Caesar,” I said, looking straight into his eyes. “I know it's hard to believe, but I do. When your soldiers killed my Grandfather, I felt it too. The rage, the uncontrollable anger begging for revenge. It pushed me to find those who were responsible, and make them pay. It wasn’t easy to resist, and it took a lot for me to understand but I finally learned. However, the difference between you and I, contrary to what you might think, is not that I have powers when you don't. Is that I was raised to desire something other than death. I felt love, and harmony, joy and laughter, sadness and anger but it all came from me. It wasn't forced on me. I decided what I felt."

  Cyn and I stepped forwards, and the natural stage moved with us.

  "I received all the wonderful things given to us by those who truly love us. I wasn't trained to fight. I wasn't forced to spend a lifetime hating people that I'd never met, by the words of others alone. I was allowed to form my own beliefs, and followed my own path. Standing here today, looking at you and those who follow you I wonder… how many of you can say the same?"